Improvement in velocipede



l -FISHER A. SPOFFORD AND4 @nicht Gltlli.

MATTHEW G.' RAFFINGTON, OF COLUM BUS', OHIO.

Letters .Patent No. 91,379, dated June 15, 1869.

Ill/InnovrnvrzenfrY In vELocIPEDE.

The Schedle referred to in these yLetters Patent and making part ofthe same.

To all whom it may concern j I Be it known that we, FISHER A. SPoFnonD and l MATTHEW G. RAFnrneroN, of Columbus, in 'the the same.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts. v

This invention relates to a new driving-mechanism for velocipedes, and has for its object to provide greater leverage, and consequently greater power than could heretoib're" be obtained.r

` The invention consists in the application of toothed segments, which are connected with one single lever, in such manner that they will simultaneously be oscillated inopposite directions, so that the one swinging backward will impart` motion, by'means of a'pinion and ratchet-pawl, to the driving-axle.

y The pinions are hung loose outhe driving-axle,` and are connected with the same by means'of ratchetwheels and pawls, so that the one moved forward will carry the axle around with it, while the other one will slip loose on the same. p

A, in the drawing, represents the frame of oni` improved velocipede. B is the' rearf axle, having its bearings in suitable boxes, that are arranged on the frame, and carrying the wheels O'IG at its ends'.

D is the front wheel. Its axle, a, has its bearings in the steering-post E, which is swivelled in the front part of the frame,and which is operated by the feet of the veloceman, by means of a lever, F, which is,

by means of rods I1 b, connected with a cross-bar, c, of' the steering-post, as shown.

On the rear axle are mounted two ratchet-wheels, d 11.

Two pinions, c c, are hung loose on the axle B, and are, by means of spring-pawls j, connected with the ratchet-wheels, so that they will, when turned in the direction of the arrow, carry the axle around with them, while they will sli'p loose when turned in the opposite direction.

G G are two toothed segments, which are pivoted, by a pin, g, to the frame A, and which mesh into the pinons c e respectively. They are, by means of rods h 71connected with a lever, H. which is pivoted to the front part'of the frame, within convenient reach of the drivers seat I.

One rod, 71, is fastened to the upper end of one segment G, while the other is fastened t0 the lower end of the other segment, so that as the lever H is swung ou its pivot t', one segment will be swung forward, while the other moves backward.

That segment which is moved backward, will turn its pivot in thedirection of the arrow.

The oscillations of the lever H, changing the motion of the segments, will cause a constant motion of the axle B to be produced.

Having thus described our` invention,

Ve claim as new. and desire to secure by Letters Patent- The combination of the lever H with the rods h h., toothed segments G G, pinions e e, spring-pawls f f, ratchet-wheels (l d, and axle B, all arranged and operating substantially as and for the purpose herein shown and described.

FISHER A. SPOFFORD. MATTHEW G. RAFFINGTON.

Witnesses: d

J. S. PAnonLs, J. D. HENDERSON. 

